In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Nest Labs co-founder Matt Rogers made it clear that Google will be able to connect its apps with the Nest Learning Thermostat. For example, customers can rely on Google Now’s location-tracking capabilities to automatically adjust their thermostat when returning home after a long day at work (the Honeywell Lyric thermostat offers similar functionality).

Users will also be able to speak voice commands into their Android-powered devices to control the temperature of their Nest Learning Thermostats.

Rogers indicated that the bulk of the data that will be shared with Google pertains to whether a customer is at home or not. Easily identifiable information such as a customer’s name, address, or email address will not be shared.

Nest Labs CEO Tony Fadell first tried to ease customers’ privacy concerns back in January, stating, “The data that we collect is all about our products and improving them. If there were ever any changes whatsoever, we would be sure to be transparent about it, number one, and number two for you to opt-in to it.”

Google doesn't need it for that. All you need is a browser on your phone/tablet/pc and a home automation server (home built) at your home. Simple login and monitor/control via web access. Google didn't need to know anything about how I set up my system.

It was fun to design and build but I removed the system after about 6 months. I never used it once I finished it (except for initial play time).